Problems getting powerline adaptors working

[kamoshika]

Has anyone been able to get powerline adaptors working with Vodafone fibre broadband router? We've used them with previous ISPs with no bother, but since we switched to Vodafone they're just not working. I've seen on the forum a couple of others with similar issues, without a definitive answer on why or how to resolve it (eg here: https://forum.vodafone.co.uk/t5/Broadband-Home-Phone/New-Fibre-Connect-Router-and-Devolo-Powerline/t... and here: https://forum.vodafone.co.uk/t5/Pay-monthly/Vodafone-fiber-Spotify-connect-and-powerline-not-working...)

We're using TP Link 200mbps adaptors (well, we've got others but for the purposes of trying to get it working I've cut it back to just the original matching pair of TP link). I've been using the home broadband app on my phone to check what's attached to the network. When I connect my laptop via ethernet cable to the router it appears in the list of connected devices, as expected. If I connect the powerline adaptor using the same (known good) ethernet cable, it doesn't show up. The router isn't recognising that it's connected.

Can anyone offer any suggestions as to how I can get it working? If there's anyone out there who has got powerline adaptors working with the Vodafone router, could you let me know which ones you're using?

Thanks!

[okecokey · Accepted solution]

I'm not 100% sure of your problem from your description but I have a simple 2 adaptor setup  which is working well but I'm unable to manage them with the manufacturers software. I have a work around (rather than a reason or solution) which I use myself as I'm still investigating, I need to put my analyser package on another PC to move the diagnosis forward.

Ok the work around - I've put an old ADSL router between the VF router and the Powerline adaptor and then set the router to Bridge the wifi to the ethernet.

So I connect my laptop to the Bridge via Wifi and the management software connects immediately & I can see / manage everything & the network devices connected at the distant end are visible on the VF router.

 Btw the ***Q router seems to have the same issue

Will provide an update on what's happening (or not) as soon as I've got further info.

[kamoshika]

Thanks for your reply. How are you connecting the old ADSL router to the VF router? Is it just connected via a ethernet cable?

[kamoshika]

Thanks again for the suggestion - I've got that working now. I dug out an old ADSL router, and using this guide: http://blog.jeffcosta.com/2011/09/29/create-a-wireless-n-bridge-with-2-inexpensive-tp-link-routers/ managed to get it set up as a wifi bridge, effectively bypassing the need for the powerline adaptors. I'd still be interested in getting to the bottom of why they don't work with the Vodafone router, but I've got round the main problem it was giving me.

[okecokey]

Hi, because WiFi is so bad in my house I actually use 2 old WiFi routers both as bridges and powerline between them and yes hard wired to VF router, am wondering about turning off WiFi on VF box

[Matt2_uk]

Hi,

    I'll put this out there as I'm having a similar issue after moving to Vodafone.  My powerline adapters (TP-link), worked absolutely fine with a previous Sky Router and now seem to be on the blink with the Vodafone Router.  What I suspect is that the switched mode Power supply unit that comes with the Router is a causing mayhem on the mains wiring and causing the powerline connection to fail intermittently (as they talk over the mains wiring).  The sky router was directly powered by mains so possiby didn't have the issue.

If you read the powerline info, they usually mention that you should keep the adapters in the wall sockets rather than on extensions and that thay can be affeted by interference from other PSU's etc close by.

What seems to have cured it for me is a change in power supply unit.  Luckily I had an alternative 12v 2.5A from a HDD PVR.  I guess if all fails and you know that both the router and power line adapters did work, then it might be worth a try, although it's a bit expensive if you need to try and get hold of one.  Just in case it helps, the one I'm now using is a genuie PSU from a toshiba HDR-5010kb. (you can get cheap replacements, but not sure that they will be any better than the one that came with the router)

[okecokey]

Interesting update thanks, will try that when I get a second